A chef reveals how to make the ultimate breakfast in bed this Mother's Day

By Freya Herring | Presented by Myer| 2 years ago

Breakfast in bed: it's every busy mum's dream, and on Mother's Day, it's pretty much expected. Luckily, the creator of Sydney's best breakfast, co-owner and chef of Yellow, Brent Savage, is here to help – and guess what, dads? It turns out it's up to you to help the kiddies. Here are Brent's top 10 tips to making mum the best breakfast ever.

1. The surprise factor

"It's hard to make it a surprise when you've got kids," says Savage, "you're better just letting her relax while you're doing it."

2. Let the kids help with the cooking…

"It's always nice to have the family involved," says Savage, "Sometimes it makes it twice as hard though – kids can get super excited." But what says "I love you" more than the family teaming up to treat its very own matriarch?

3. … and then get them out the kitchen

Savage suggests doing the breakfast in courses, and leaving mum to enjoy it in blissful, solitary peace and quiet. "Most mums just want five minutes left alone," says Savage. Give the kids a role by making them waiters – you could even dress them up for the job, if they'll oblige. "If the kids are there, get them to bring each course in, one by one."

4. To start

"It should be like a degustation really," says Savage. "Start out with some porridge. I cook the oats in a little bit of water and salt, and then I add milk after it's cooked. Top it with honey and poached quince." Savage recommends following that with some seasonal fruit and yogurt.

5. The main event

Eggs are a must, says Savage. "If I had the capabilities of doing a 63°C egg, I'd recommend doing that. Otherwise poach them."

Make a bit of an effort with sides too. "There are fantastic mushrooms around at the moment – grey ghosts and pine," he says, "make a mushroom broth and serve the eggs in the broth with the mushrooms in it, and some toast on the side. Buy the bread from a great bakery, for me [in Sydney] that's Iggy's." And yes, that means this is a veggie breakfast – Yellow went vegetarian last year, aside from its breakfast service. But as of the Mother's Day weekend, the breakfast will be fully vego too – but trust us, you won't miss the meat.

6. Breakfast dessert

If you're thinking about really spoiling her, Savage suggests serving a flourless chocolate cake as dessert, with some clotted or whipped cream on the side.

7. The drinks

"You can't beat a green juice," says Savage, "that's something you don't make the effort to make every day, and you've got to balance out that chocolate cake!" And as for hot drinks, Savage suggests either coffee (you could even go out and buy Mum's favourite kind) or to make her feel extra special, a glass of beautiful Champagne.

8. Make it personal

If mum doesn't like eggs or mushrooms, make something that matters to her. "I think it's nice to choose the breakfast that you know mum will like," says Savage. "It should be uniquely catered to the individual – a special treat that they don't get every day."

9. The tray

Don't overlook the practical stuff. Like, how is mum going to eat her breakfast comfortably in bed? "The tray is important," says Savage, "it's essential that it's level – there is nothing worse than having a lopsided breakfast." Lap trays are a brilliant solution to this.

10. Make a memory

Ultimately, this is about making mum feel special, so the best gift you can give her is a beautiful memory. "It should be a fairly peaceful, drama-free experience," says Savage. "Newspapers are a good idea too," he says – get her favourite (see, make it personal!). And all that mess in the kitchen? Not mum's problem. "Mum shouldn't have to clean up on Mother's Day," says Savage. Quite right.